AST EXAMS QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
UPDATED 2024/2025 SUMMER GRADED A+ FOR
SUCCESS.
1. Hyperkalemia is a high concentration of:
A. Calcium
B. Nitrogen
C. Potassium
D. Albumin - CORRECT ANSWERS Potassium
2. For which procedure would Trendelenburg position provide optimal visualization?
A. Cholecystectomy
B. Hysterectomy
C. Thyroidectomy
D. Acromioplasty - CORRECT ANSWERS Hysterectomy
3. The enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens before cataract surgery is:
A. Atropine sulfate
B. Alpha-chymotrypsin
C. Acetylcholine chloride
D. Pilocarpine hydrochloride - CORRECT ANSWERS Alpha-chymotrypsin
4. How should the stretcher be oriented when necessary to use an elevator to transport a
patient to the OR?
A. Place stretcher sideways in elevator
B. Enter head first, exit feet first
C. Position in elevant is irrelevant
D. Enter feet first, exit head first - CORRECT ANSWERS Enter head first, exit feet first
,5. Which of the following is a curved, transverse incision across the lower abdomen frequently
used in gynecological surgery?
A. Midline
B. Paramedian
C. McBurney's
D. Pfannenstiel - CORRECT ANSWERS Pfannenstiel
6. When perforated metal trays are placed on the shelves of the steam sterilizing cart, they
should be positioned how?
A. Flat
B. Upside down
C. Vertical
D. Angled - CORRECT ANSWERS Flat
7. Which of the following structures is located in the alveolar processes?
A. Teeth
B. Villi
C. Sinuses
D. Tonsils - CORRECT ANSWERS Teeth The teeth are located in the sockets of the alveolar
processes of the mandible and maxillae.
8. Which of the following tissues are cut using curved Mayo scissors?
A. Fascia
B. Periosteum
C. Dura mater
D. Arterial wall - CORRECT ANSWERS Fascia
9. What laser beam can travel through clear tissues without heating them?
A. Argon
,B. Excimer
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Neodymium: YAG - CORRECT ANSWERS Argon
10. Permission for treatment given with full knowledge of the risks is a/an:
A. Tort
B. Malpractice
C. Personal liability
D. Informed Consent - CORRECT ANSWERS Informed Consent
11. Which portion of the stomach surrounds the lower esophageal sphincter?
A. Cardia
B. Fundus
C. Pylorus
D. Antrum - CORRECT ANSWERS Cardia
12. Low level disinfectants kill most microbes, but do not destroy:
A. Viruses
B. Bacteria
C. Fungi
D. Spores - CORRECT ANSWERS Spores
13. Syndactyly refers to:
A. Cleft palate
B. Webbed finger
C. Fused tarsale
D. Torn ligaments - CORRECT ANSWERS Webbed fingers
, 14. The surgical pack utilized to create the sterile field should be opened on the:
A. Stretcher
B. OR table
C. Backtable
D. Mayo stand - CORRECT ANSWERS Backtable
15. The islets of Langerhans secrete:
A. Bile
B. Insulin
C. Intrinsic factor
D. Inhibiting hormones - CORRECT ANSWERS Insulin
16. What type of procedure would involve the removal of teeth?
A. Cleft palate repair
B. Arch bar application
C. Extractions
D. Implants - CORRECT ANSWERS Extractions
17. Which organism is a normal resident flora of the intestinal tract?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Stephylococcus aureus
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Clostridium tetani - CORRECT ANSWERS Escherichia coli
18. Where should the first scrub surgical technologist stand when handing towels to the
surgeon to square off an incision site?
A. Opposite side from surgeon
B. Same side as surgeon
C. Foot of OR table
UPDATED 2024/2025 SUMMER GRADED A+ FOR
SUCCESS.
1. Hyperkalemia is a high concentration of:
A. Calcium
B. Nitrogen
C. Potassium
D. Albumin - CORRECT ANSWERS Potassium
2. For which procedure would Trendelenburg position provide optimal visualization?
A. Cholecystectomy
B. Hysterectomy
C. Thyroidectomy
D. Acromioplasty - CORRECT ANSWERS Hysterectomy
3. The enzyme used to soften the zonules of the lens before cataract surgery is:
A. Atropine sulfate
B. Alpha-chymotrypsin
C. Acetylcholine chloride
D. Pilocarpine hydrochloride - CORRECT ANSWERS Alpha-chymotrypsin
4. How should the stretcher be oriented when necessary to use an elevator to transport a
patient to the OR?
A. Place stretcher sideways in elevator
B. Enter head first, exit feet first
C. Position in elevant is irrelevant
D. Enter feet first, exit head first - CORRECT ANSWERS Enter head first, exit feet first
,5. Which of the following is a curved, transverse incision across the lower abdomen frequently
used in gynecological surgery?
A. Midline
B. Paramedian
C. McBurney's
D. Pfannenstiel - CORRECT ANSWERS Pfannenstiel
6. When perforated metal trays are placed on the shelves of the steam sterilizing cart, they
should be positioned how?
A. Flat
B. Upside down
C. Vertical
D. Angled - CORRECT ANSWERS Flat
7. Which of the following structures is located in the alveolar processes?
A. Teeth
B. Villi
C. Sinuses
D. Tonsils - CORRECT ANSWERS Teeth The teeth are located in the sockets of the alveolar
processes of the mandible and maxillae.
8. Which of the following tissues are cut using curved Mayo scissors?
A. Fascia
B. Periosteum
C. Dura mater
D. Arterial wall - CORRECT ANSWERS Fascia
9. What laser beam can travel through clear tissues without heating them?
A. Argon
,B. Excimer
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Neodymium: YAG - CORRECT ANSWERS Argon
10. Permission for treatment given with full knowledge of the risks is a/an:
A. Tort
B. Malpractice
C. Personal liability
D. Informed Consent - CORRECT ANSWERS Informed Consent
11. Which portion of the stomach surrounds the lower esophageal sphincter?
A. Cardia
B. Fundus
C. Pylorus
D. Antrum - CORRECT ANSWERS Cardia
12. Low level disinfectants kill most microbes, but do not destroy:
A. Viruses
B. Bacteria
C. Fungi
D. Spores - CORRECT ANSWERS Spores
13. Syndactyly refers to:
A. Cleft palate
B. Webbed finger
C. Fused tarsale
D. Torn ligaments - CORRECT ANSWERS Webbed fingers
, 14. The surgical pack utilized to create the sterile field should be opened on the:
A. Stretcher
B. OR table
C. Backtable
D. Mayo stand - CORRECT ANSWERS Backtable
15. The islets of Langerhans secrete:
A. Bile
B. Insulin
C. Intrinsic factor
D. Inhibiting hormones - CORRECT ANSWERS Insulin
16. What type of procedure would involve the removal of teeth?
A. Cleft palate repair
B. Arch bar application
C. Extractions
D. Implants - CORRECT ANSWERS Extractions
17. Which organism is a normal resident flora of the intestinal tract?
A. Escherichia coli
B. Stephylococcus aureus
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Clostridium tetani - CORRECT ANSWERS Escherichia coli
18. Where should the first scrub surgical technologist stand when handing towels to the
surgeon to square off an incision site?
A. Opposite side from surgeon
B. Same side as surgeon
C. Foot of OR table
